by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

by Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports

HOW THE SPARTANS WON: The fourth-ranked Spartans tried hard - really hard - to throw this one away. They held a 17-point lead with 7:05 left in regulation before No. 3 Ohio State went on a 20-3 run to tie the game and send Tuesday's tilt into overtime. During that seven-minute stretch, Michigan State turned the ball over nine times - and most were forced. The Buckeyes' defense is exquisite, and it's what sparked Ohio State's second incredible comeback of the season. Point guard Aaron Craft dove for loose balls (per usual) and Shannon Scott swiped a few steals to set up some highlight reel-worthy dunks by Sam Thompson and Amir Williams. Williams' put-back dunk with 21 seconds remaining in regulation forced OT.

Both teams went back and forth in overtime, until Spartans point guard Keith Appling drained a three with 27.5 seconds left to put Michigan State up three. After an exchange of free throws, Ohio State's desperation three was off the mark, and Michigan State (14-1) won 72-68.

Tuesday night was the first time the Buckeyes (15-1) have given up more than 70 points all season - and it took an extra five minutes for Michigan State to get there.

STAR WATCH: This was billed as a matchup of two of the Big Ten's (and nation's) best backcourts, and it truly was/is unique. How rare is it, in college basketball these days, to see two senior point guards go up against each other? Especially two who've both basically started from Day 1 and have gone head-to-head many times over the years as these teams have battled for Big Ten titles. So, yes, it's a treat to get to watch Michigan State's Appling and Ohio State's Craft.

Both lived up to their billing, between Craft's defense in the final minutes of regulation and Appling's clutch three (and subsequent game-sealing free throws) near the end of overtime. The best part? We'll get to see these guys go against each other at least once more this winter.

WHAT THIS MEANS IN A NUTSHELL: It's hard to win on the road during conference play, and it's especially tough to do it at the Breslin Center against Tom Izzo. Ohio State was bound to lose some time; there's no shame in doing it this way - especially after a terrific, gutty comeback.

On the other hand, Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said on the court after the game that he was disappointed in how his team handled the final minutes of regulation and even overtime. He credited tough performances from Appling, who he said was cramping most of the game, and big man Adreian Payne, who played through a foot injury.

That brings up a final point: The Spartans haven't had a fully healthy roster in quite some time - perhaps not since their impressive Nov. 12 win against Kentucky in Chicago. And, obviously, Izzo still doesn't have his full arsenal available these days. Prior to Tuesday's game against No. 3 Ohio State, we weren't sure whether Payne or guard Travis Trice would play. (Payne did, of course, but Trice's illness limited Izzo's depth along the perimeter.)

All things considered, it's really quite impressive that Michigan State is plugging in different pieces and hanging on to beat elite teams, like Ohio State on Tuesday. How good could these Spartans be come March if they're healthy?

TWEET THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES: Spartans fans can exhale. But they never should have had to sweat this much.

AND-1: Due to injuries and illnesses, Michigan State's lineup on Tuesday was its eighth different starting lineup in the last 10 games. Ohio State has used the same starting five all season.